Disney is set to fully integrate Hulu into Disney+ by next year, marking the end of Hulu as a standalone app. With Disney now owning Hulu outright, the company plans to merge the two services into a single, unified streaming platform. While this move might raise concerns about price hikes, Disney has confirmed that standalone plans for both Disney+ and Hulu will remain available.
During an earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger highlighted the benefits of combining the two services on one platform. The merger is expected to cut costs and streamline ad sales while enhancing the user experience. Iger and Disney CFO Hugh Johnston emphasized that the unified app will offer a robust lineup of content, including top-tier franchises, family programming, news, and live sports. Disney+ will also introduce a more personalized homepage and additional features in the coming months.
Outside the U.S., Disney+ will see a branding change as the Star tile is rebranded to Hulu starting this fall. This adjustment aligns with Disney’s broader strategy to consolidate its streaming services. Last year, the company began integrating Hulu content into Disney+ to encourage subscribers to opt for bundled plans.
In another shift, Disney will soon stop reporting subscriber numbers for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, following Netflix’s lead in moving away from public disclosures. As of June, Disney+ and Hulu collectively had 183 million subscribers, a slight increase from the previous quarter. Meanwhile, Disney’s new ESPN streaming service is set to launch on August 21.
The integration of Hulu into Disney+ reflects Disney’s push to streamline its streaming offerings while maintaining flexibility for subscribers. With a unified app on the horizon, the company aims to deliver a more cohesive and cost-effective entertainment experience.
